UPDATED: RI Restaurant Blasts Unemployment Benefits Extension—Says They Can’t Get Anyone to Work
Sunday, March 14, 2021
The owner of a Rhode Island restaurant says that they are struggling to find people to work -- and criticized the recent extension of unemployment benefits under President Joe Biden's stimulus package.
"My husband told me not to post this, but it upsets me too much, so sorry for not listening," said Angelica Penta of Gel's Kitchen in West Warwick on Saturday. "I totally support the unemployment decision with the extra $300...but why is it going so long?? I used to get applications daily, but not anymore."
Currently, there are over 30,000 Rhode Islanders unemployed.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST"I get asked to extend my hours and open Friday nights, but I can't when I don't have enough employees," she added. "I get asked to pay cash (which I don't so that cuts my hiring to a quarter of what it should be). I hear this from other businesses owners as well."
"Business restrictions are going to get lighter and I won't be able to add my tables back if I don't have enough employees," said Penta "They spoke on the radio yesterday about how businesses get threatened or shut down if they say something, but if I don't have enough employees to be at my full capacity I will struggle to stay open...so what's the difference. If you want to work (right now I need cooks) -- I am hiring."
"Sorry about this post. It's just stressful," she added.
Latest Business Outcry
Penta has been vocal during the pandemic.
In October, she penned an open letter to former Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo in October, criticizing her decision to limit restaurant capacity but allow big box retailers to operate at capacity.
Penta returned to social media later in the day and added, "I support the extra money for people that need it. I just don't feel it should go on until September if the person has the opportunity to work and can. I don't even have people trying to apply so no one knows what I even pay them. Almost every business has said they can't get help! I get some people have to stay home for health."
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